LEEDS 0 - SAINTS 3

Though it finished a comprehensive and deserved 3-0, there were times it might not have gone that way.

There were times when togetherness, spirit and digging in were required and those qualities were as evident and forthcoming as the quality in the final third that added the glossy finish.

What's more, there was also some hope that players were beginning to click into top gear - in particular Rudi Skacel.

As the big summer signing, so much was expected of the Czech midfielder.

Everybody hoped and believed that this was the man who was going to make the difference.

In games which were tight, here was a guy capable of providing the key to unlock a defence with a killer ball or even a goal himself. It hadn't really happened like that up until now.

Having missed all of pre-season after a ridiculously protracted transfer from Hearts - no prizes for guessing why - he came into the team clearly short of fitness and sharpness.

Such was George Burley's belief in Skacel's quality and class he didn't give him a few reserve team games to find his feet, but instead let him get match fit in the first team.

That said a lot.

But for Skacel it has been hard physically and mentally. He has probably only played in flashes this season.

This was his best showing in a Saints shirt, everything we hoped for in the summer.

He was good on the ball, clever in attack, covered for Gareth Bale when he bombed forward and provided that killer cross for one goal and scored one himself.

It didn't feel like the complete Skacel performance but it seemed a corner may have been turned and more is on the way.

And, of course, what a difference Grzegorz Rasiak makes.

He gets a bit of stick from the fans for his lethargic style, but would you rather have somebody who runs around for 90 minutes who can't score or a guy you can bank on for 20 goals a season?

It's goals, goals, goals all the way for me.

Rasiak's ninth of the season came after 29 minutes. Bale, again forward down the left, crossed low where Andrew Surman flicked on high to the far post.

Rasiak waited for the ball to drop and looped a header straight back over Graham Stack and into the far corner.

His tenth came after 75 minutes, Skacel providing an in-swinging corner from the right and Rasiak getting across his man and steering in a header from the edge of the six yard box.

Sandwiched in-between was Skacel's 69th-minute goal.

Jhon Viafara got in a deflected low cross from the right and Skacel, who had stolen in unnoticed at the far post, had time to control before burying his finish across Stack into the top corner.

The win was pretty much as good as away victories come.

But, despite praising the attacking power of the team as they scored the goals that have been lacking in recent times, it should be noted it was built on solid foundations.

Kelvin Davis again wasn't over- stretched but made a couple of decent saves and did particularly well with aerial balls.

The back four were solid throughout, as were the midfield.

There was a period at the start of the second half that called for true grit. Leeds got well on top and spent more than ten minutes virtually camped in the Saints half, roared on by the Elland Road faithful scenting blood.

But when it mattered, Saints dug in, showed character and resilience. And, while that won't steal the headlines, it was as impressive as the three goals.

It showed a spirit, a togetherness and a cohesion that is going to be so vital for the rest of the season.

The other nice thing in that situation was to see the defence not drop too deep. They almost got sucked in but pushed their line up and compacted the play.

Praise also to George Burley and his coaching staff who switched to a 4-5-1 during the second half with the introduction of Viafara.

That paid off and provided the platform for Saints to win.

As all-round performances go, this was probably the best of the season - clean sheet, away win, good display ... and three points.